District Communications
District communications including weekly updates, COVID-19 & more.
The humbling, difficult journey to becoming an antiracist school district
Dear WSD Community,
As the Superintendent of the Winooski School District (WSD), I am deeply committed to ensuring an equitable education for every student in our district. Our students have recently taught me that the broad concept of equity must also include a firm commitment to antiracism. This work must happen at an individual level and as a collective learning community.
It’s important that I acknowledge that the WSD, despite best intentions, was unable to provide the support needed for recently resigned teacher, Mugabo Uwilingiyimana, so he could feel grounded, welcomed, and successful as a new teacher. Specifically, WSD’s responsibility is directly related to improving our understanding of the type of support needed for a Black teacher in our predominantly white faculty system. I’m coming to clearly understand the connection between this specific need and the subtle yet very real influence of institutional racism in our district. It feels important that I name this to better support all teachers.
For me, personally, as a white, male person in power leading a district with a majority of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students, antiracism work has been enlightening, humbling, and painful. Hearing from our BIPOC students about the racism they have experienced in our district, our community, and across the state, particularly during athletic events, has been hard to hear and has motivated our district leaders, staff, and school board to commit to becoming an antiracist school district.
On June 19, 2020, a teacher-led group of over 40 support staff, teachers, administrators, and one student volunteered and met to form the Antiracist Action Committee. The following five action areas were developed:
- Restorative Justice at WSD
- Recruitment and Hiring of BIPOC staff
- WSD Equity Audit
- Race and Ethnic Studies
- Replacing the School Resource Officer (SRO) with Community Health and Trauma Specialist
This work was tabled in July of 2020 as a group of courageous students, the Winooski Students for Antiracism (WSA), emerged, attending school board meetings demanding change. Over the course of several months, the school board accepted six of the eight demands and committed to becoming an antiracist school district. Read more about the process and WSA’s demands here.
The WSA Demands address past and current harm. While we cannot undo past harm, the district must continue to move forward. WSD’s commitment to equity over the past eight years has been sincere, challenging, and desperately needed. We have taken a broad equity approach by developing budgets that reflect additional staffing in the areas of English Language Learning (ELL), special education, and social-emotional supports. In addition, we have focused on the basic needs of all of our families by filling in gaps in food security, clothing, and other foundational needs. Lastly, the capital project, supported by our community, is a significant contribution to creating a more equitable, safe, and healthy learning environment for all our students and staff.
The recruitment of BIPOC teachers is one of the WSA Demands, and one of the action groups the WSD Antiracism Steering Committee will initiate. This student demand will address Mugabo’s experience, utilizing community, youth, faculty, district leadership, and school board input. Also, we hope WSA will collaborate with WSD to broaden this demand to include administrators and support staff. As we have learned from the challenges Mugabo faced, we must also pay special attention to BIPOC staff retention.
Here are some recent actions we have taken on our antiracism journey:
- The School Board has been engaging in monthly training and discussions about White Supremacy Culture Characteristics led by WSA member Evelyn Monje and UP for Learning.
- At the April 14 regular school board meeting, the WSD School Board unanimously approved funding for the WSD Antiracism Steering Committee (ARSC) and the preliminary budget of $70,560 for Winooski Students for Anti-Racism (WSA) to support demands-based teams. The non-profit UP for Learning will serve as the fiscal agent for the WSA demand-based team budget.
- The Antiracism Steering Committee (ARSC) has been established and designed to be radically inclusive. The Steering Committee is an innovative multi-stakeholder committee that creatively guides the dynamic work of the WSA Demands, serves as a communication hub for the demand-based working groups, and ensures that the WSA Demands are centered in every aspect of the work. UP for Learning has been hired to facilitate the work of the committee.
- All JFK Elementary School staff read Teaching for Black Lives and engaged in frequent professional development this past school year to deepen their understanding of the contributions of black and brown people to America and how race impacts education. Also, our library is using $10K of favorable FY21 budget balance to build our anti-racism book collection.
I am grateful for the learning that was made possible through Winooski Students for Antiracism and their community and faculty supporters. While the journey to becoming an antiracist district continues to be a long, difficult, and slow process, we will not give up. I believe our district will be able to learn and grow from the lessons offered by Mugabo’s experiences and bring us closer to being a truly equitable and antiracist school district.
With hope,
Sean McMannon, WSD Superintendent
District Updates 6.10.2021
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Return Student Devices (Chromebooks and iPads) – June 10
- Middle School Dance – June 10 from 6:45-8pm in the Cafeteria
- Last Student Day on Friday, June 11, 2021 – Early Release for Students at 11am
- WHS Graduation (see live stream info below) – June 12 at 1pm
- Annual Athletic Banquet on Sunday, June 13 at 6pm (Live streaming will be available on Facebook)
- Fun Dog Show! June 26 from 9am – 1pm at Landry Park (PTO fundraiser)
- Veggie Van Go at the WSD *New days* Fridays: July 16, August 6 and August 20
Dear WSD Families,
Congratulations! We made it through this year. We couldn’t have done it without your support. Thank you!
This will be our last weekly email update until August. Here are a few updates to wrap up this school year:
Congratulations to this year’s retirees!
Danielle Magowan, Joan Benjamin, Lan Nguyen, and Robin Hood have collectively given over 120 years of service to the WSD. As the 2020-21 school year draws to a close, we wanted to take this opportunity to recognize these four invaluable staff members who will be retiring this year. Read our recognition of these outstanding individuals here.
Welcome, Allison Burlock, the newest WSD School Board trustee.
Read more about Allison here.
Student Meal Kits this Summer
Our district is participating in the Summer Food Service Program, which will start Wednesday June 16. Every child in Winooski, aged 0-18, is eligible for one meal kit which has enough food for seven days for that child. The kits include breakfast and lunch. Meal kits typically include two pre-made meals, bread, milk, meat, cheese, vegetables, fruit, and other staples.
The WSD will continue to offer three meal pick up sites throughout the community. Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the following time and locations:
- Wednesdays from 9:30am – 10:00am at the Winooski School District, 60 Normand St.
- Wednesdays from 10:15 am – 10:45 am at the O’Brien Community Center, 32 Malletts Bay Ave.
- Wednesdays from 11:00 am – 11:30 am at the Winooski Family Center, 87 Elm St.
Contact Mohamed Diop if you have any questions about summer meals ([email protected]).
Free Summer Recreational Programs for All Winooski Students
The City of Winooski’s Community Services Department is thrilled to announce an exciting slate of FREE summer programming for Winooski kids for the summer of 2021, including summer camps, day programs, and swim programs at the newly renovated Myers Memorial Pool. These free programs are available in partnership with our district, through Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER). For a full list of programming and registration information, please visit www.winooskivt.gov/summer or call 802-655-1392.
Class of 2021 Graduation
Graduation will be held in-person on June 12 at 1pm in the WHS Gymnasium. At this point seating is limited to two guests per graduate and will be assigned in the gym. If you’re not able to join in person, watch live at: www.mediafactory.org/whs or on the WSD Facebook page: facebook.com/winooskilearns
Winooski Legacy Campaign Video – 100 Years of Opportunity & Welcoming
To celebrate Winooski’s 100-year legacy of welcoming and opportunity, the city is sharing features of our people, places, and traditions leading up to the Centennial Celebration on March 7, 2022!
As part of the celebration, David Klinker, a Winooski High School junior, used his amazing videography skills to capture some of the experiences of welcoming and opportunity of his classmates, teachers, and staff at our district. Watch the video here!
Free Summer Tutoring
Winooski School District is continuing its partnership with The Education Annex this summer to provide free summer tutoring for students, grades K-12, in math, reading, writing and science. Summer tutoring will start June 14 and continue through July and August. If you would like to sign your child up please contact: Stephanie Hackett at [email protected]
Student Devices
All student devices should have been turned in today, Thursday June 10. If your student forgot to bring their device, they can also return devices tomorrow (Friday, June 11) from 1-1:45pm in front of the school.
For students who do not return their devices by Friday, the WSD IT team will remotely deactivate the machines, which will make it inoperative. Devices will not be replaced in the fall until the current device is returned and checked.
Athletic Banquet
Winooski High School 77th Annual Athletic Banquet on Sunday, June 13th at 6:00pm in the Winooski High School Gymnasium for all Winooski high School students who completed at least one athletic season for the 2020-21 School year. Each family may have two people attend. If you would like to bring additional guests, please email Athletic Director Dennis Barcomb ([email protected]). Please note: Seating will be limited. The potluck meal will not occur this year. (Live streaming of the Banquet will be available on Facebook)
Fun Dog Show!
The WSD PTO is hosting a Fun Dog Show on June 26. With categories such as “Best Bark, Best Owner/Dog Look Alike, Best Trick and Best Costume” there are plenty of ways to celebrate your beloved canine companions! There will be prizes and plenty of fun! Register your pup by emailing [email protected].
Communications Survey – Help us improve and enter to win a $50 gift card!
Over 350 people have completed this survey already. Please lend your voice to make sure we’re meeting your needs! Once you complete the survey, you will have the option to enter your information into a raffle to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Your contact information will NOT be linked to your survey responses. Fill out the survey by June 15 here.
Thank you!
Welcome to the WSD School Board, Allison Burlock!
Allison Burlock was appointed as a School Board Trustee at the June 9 Regular Board Meeting. She will be replacing Michael Decarreau who resigned in May. Allison will hold the seat until the end of the March 2022 term.
Allison is a native Vermonter from Vergennes, and a resident of Winooski since August 2017. She works as a data analytics and healthcare quality professional in healthcare. She has 10+ years of experience, a bachelor’s degree in health policy, a master’s degree in biostatistics and an MBA in progress. She is also a 2019 alumni of the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont Leadership Institute.
Allison has said, “I know the root of my success is the experience I had as a student in a public school district in Vermont. I want other students to have the same opportunities to be successful that I did.”
Updates 6.3.21 – End-of-year health guidance and events
- Return Student Devices (Chromebooks and iPads) – June 10
- Middle School Dance – June 10 from 6:45-8pm in the Cafeteria.
- Last Student Day on Friday, June 11, 2021 – Early Release for Students at 11am
- WHS Graduation (see live stream info below) – June 12 at 1pm
- Annual Athletic Banquet on Sunday, June 13 at 6pm (Live streaming will be available on Facebook)
- Fun Dog Show! June 26 from 9am – 1pm at Landry Park (PTO fundraiser)
- Veggie Van Go at the WSD *New days* Fridays: July 16, August 6 and August 20
Dear WSD Families,
It’s hard to believe that the last student day is Friday, June 11. While we are all relieved that vaccines are increasing the likelihood of Governor Scott’s State of Emergency ending this month, the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) recommends school districts continue to adhere to current virus mitigation strategies, including: physical distancing, mask-wearing, exclusion due to COVID symptoms, and contact tracing. Current guidance has kept our students and staff safe this year while at school and it would be a challenge to change our routines so late in the school year.
At this point, there will probably not be a state of emergency in the fall of 2021, which means current Strong and Healthy Year guidance will no longer be applicable. We look forward to welcoming students back full time, in-person in the fall. The AOE states that “If any or some virus mitigation measures are necessary, they are likely to be nominal and not specific to schools. This means there will not be any distancing requirements for students and staff in the fall.” This is the return to normal we have all been waiting for.
Many of you are probably excited about this change; while others might be apprehensive. Please know that our Learning Recovery/Redesign Planning team will be working this summer to plan for a safe, healthy return for all students and staff. Expect communication and support moving forward. In the meanwhile, enjoy returning to the summer activities you and your children love.
Return Student WSD-Issued Devices by June 10
We are collecting laptops and iPads from students for inventory and repair. Devices are due by June 10. Please make sure the device and charger are labeled with your student’s name (masking tape works well for this purpose). Thank you!
Athletic Banquet
Winooski High School 77th Annual Athletic Banquet on Sunday, June 13th at 6:00pm in the Winooski High School Gymnasium for all Winooski high School students who completed at least one athletic season for the 2020-21 School year. Each family may have two people attend. If you would like to bring additional guests, please email Athletic Director Dennis Barcomb ([email protected]). Please note, the potluck meal will not occur this year. (Live streaming of the Banquet will be available on Facebook)
Communications Survey – Help us improve and enter to win a $50 gift card!
This year, we have committed to sending weekly updates on Thursdays to keep families informed about district issues, especially about COVID. We need your help to improve our communication going forward. Once you complete the survey, you will have the option to enter your information into a raffle to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Your contact information will NOT be linked to your survey responses. Fill out the survey here.
Free Summer Recreational Programs for All Winooski Students
The City of Winooski, in partnership with our district, is thrilled to offer FREE summer programs for children and youth! For a full list of programming and registration information, please visit www.winooskivt.gov/summer or call 802-655-1392.
Free Summer Tutoring
Winooski School District is continuing its partnership with The Education Annex this summer to provide free summer tutoring for students in grades K-12. Summer tutoring will start June 14th and continue through July and August. If you would like to sign your child up please contact: Stephanie Hackett at [email protected]
In-School Vaccine Clinic for WSD Students (2nd dose)
Students and community members will receive their second dose of the COVID vaccine at school on June 8 from 1-5pm. Registration was completed at the first dose in-school clinic. Want to learn more about the COVID vaccine? Read more here.
Restorative Justice Youth Leadership Workshop
This workshop will meet during the summer on Tuesdays (June 22 – August 10) 12-2pm at the O’Brien Community Center. Participants in this workshop will receive $200 at the end of the summer. Learn more and apply here.
Fun Dog Show!
The WSD PTO is hosting a Fun Dog Show on June 26. With categories such as “Best Bark, Best Owner/Dog Look Alike, Best Trick and Best Costume” there are plenty of ways to celebrate your beloved canine companions! There will be prizes and plenty of fun! Register your pup by emailing [email protected].
Thank you to the PTO!
Shout out to the Winooski PTO for their help making our staff appreciation lunch a success! It was a well-deserved day full of delicious food, cool hats and great music.
Class of 2021 Graduation
Graduation will be held in-person on June 12 at 1pm in the WHS Gymnasium. At this point seating is limited to two guests per graduate and will be assigned in the gym. If you’re not able to join in person, watch live at: www.mediafactory.org/whs or on the WSD Facebook page: facebook.com/winooskilearns
8th Grade Celebration and Middle School Dance
Please join us for a celebration of 8th graders on Thursday, June 10 from 5:45-6:30pm in the WSD Cafeteria. Each student is allowed two invited guests. The 8th grade celebration will be followed by a Middle School Dance for students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. The time of the dance is 6:45-8pm in the Cafeteria.
WSD School Board Member Appointment Process
With the departure of Mike Decarreau from the school board after 10+ years of outstanding leadership the board will be appointing a new member to replace him for the remainder of his term until March 2022. If you are interested in this role please send a letter of interest and resume to Krista Parisi, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at [email protected] by Friday, June 4, 2021 or call 802-383-6000 for more information. Candidate interviews will take place at the Wednesday, June 9 regular board meeting starting at 6:30pm.
Thank you,
Sean McMannon, WSD Superintendent
District Updates 5.27.21
Important Upcoming Dates:
- No School – Monday, May 31
- In-School Vaccine Clinic (2nd dose) – June 8 from 1 – 5 pm
- Last Student Day on Friday, June 11, 2021 – Early Release for Students at 11am
- June 12 at 1pm – WHS Graduation (see live stream info below)
- Annual Athletic Banquet on Sunday, June 13 at 6:00pm (Live streaming will be available on Facebook)
- Fun Dog Show! June 26 from 9am – 1pm at Landry Park (PTO fundraiser)
- Veggie Van Go at the WSD July 16 from 9-10am
Athletic Banquet
Winooski High School 77th Annual Athletic Banquet on Sunday, June 13th at 6:00pm in the Winooski High School Gymnasium. All Winooski high School students who completed at least one athletic season for the 2020-21 School year. Each family may have two people attend. If you would like to bring additional guests, please email Athletic Director Dennis Barcomb ([email protected]). Please note, the potluck meal will not occur this year. (Live streaming of the Banquet will be available on Facebook)
Communications Survey – Help us improve and enter to win a $50 gift card!
We want every family in the WSD to feel informed and empowered through clear, accessible, frequent communication from the district. Our partnership with families, caregivers, and the community is key to each student’s success.
This year, we have committed to sending weekly updates on Thursdays to keep families informed about district issues, especially about COVID. We need your help to improve our communication going forward. Once you complete the survey, you will have the option to enter your information into a raffle to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Your contact information will NOT be linked to your survey responses. Fill out the survey here.
Free Summer Recreational Programs for All Winooski Students
The City of Winooski, in partnership with the Winooski School District, is thrilled to announce that we will be offering FREE summer programs for children and youth with funds provided by the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Act! A full listing of programs and registration information please visit www.winooskivt.gov/summer or call 802-655-1392.
Free Summer Tutoring
Winooski School District is continuing its partnership with The Education Annex this summer to provide free summer tutoring for students in grades K-12. Summer tutoring will start June 14th and continue through July and August. If you would like to sign your child up please contact: Stephanie Hackett at [email protected]
Summer P-EBT (Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer)
The State of Vermont will be issuing Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) cards to help with students’ food costs over the summer months. Households will receive a one-time allotment of $375 per eligible student. The Summer P-EBT benefit will be issued in late July 2021, and is in addition to a second round of School Year P-EBT benefit, which will be made available to families in July for the months of Feb-June. All students enrolled in our school will receive this benefit because our school normally offers free meals to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision. For families receiving 3SquaresVT, P-EBT benefits will be added to existing EBT cards. Families who have already received a P-EBT card this school year will have the Summer P-EBT benefit added to their existing card. Find out more about P-EBT benefits by visiting https://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/covid19/P-EBT.
Return Student WSD-Issued Devices by June 10
We are collecting laptops and iPads from students for inventory and repair. Devices are due by June 10. Please make sure the device and charger are labeled with your student’s name (masking tape works well for this purpose). Thank you!
In-School Vaccine Clinic for WSD Students (2nd dose)
Students and community members will receive their second dose of the COVID vaccine at school on June 8 from 1-5pm. Registration was completed at the first dose in-school clinic. Want to learn more about the COVID vaccine? Read more here.
Restorative Justice Youth Leadership Workshop
This workshop will meet during the summer on Tuesdays (June 22 – August 10) 12-2pm at the O’Brien Community Center. Participants in this workshop will receive $200 at the end of the summer. Learn more and apply here.
Fun Dog Show!
The WSD PTO is hosting a Fun Dog Show on June 26. With categories such as “Best Bark, Best Owner/Dog Look Alike, Best Trick and Best Costume” there are plenty of ways to celebrate your beloved canine companions! There will be prizes and plenty of fun! Register by emailing [email protected].
Class of 2021 Graduation
Graduation will be held in-person on June 12 at 1pm in the WHS Gymnasium. At this point seating is limited to two guests per graduate and will be assigned in the gym. If you’re not able to join in person, watch live at: www.mediafactory.org/whs or on the WSD Facebook page: facebook.com/winooskilearns
The graduation will air on the LEARN channel (Comcast 1094) at these times:
- 6/17 at 10:00 AM
- 6/18 at 8:00 PM
- 6/19 at 6:00 PM
WSD School Board Member Appointment Process
With the departure of Mike Decarreau from the school board after 10+ years of outstanding leadership, the board will be appointing a new member to replace him for the remainder of his term until March 2022. If you are interested in this role please send a letter of interest and resume to Krista Parisi, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at [email protected] by Thursday, June 3, 2021 or call 802-383-6000 for more information. Candidate interviews will take place at the Wednesday, June 9 regular board meeting starting at 6:30pm.
Courtesy Posts
Each week we will share information from non-district organizations upon request. Click here if you are interested in learning more about:
- WMA created a survey and are collecting data and ideas for the most requested use of space in the O’Brien Community Center, which may have some vacancy. Please take a minute to fill out the survey!
- Little Bellas Mountain Biking Program
- The Vermont Foodbank’s Community Kitchen Academy (CKA) is currently accepting applications for student enrollment in its successful workforce training program for a 7 week course beginning June 7.
Welcome Mohamedou Diop – Director of Multilingual Learner Programs
Mohamedou Diop, (who is known to many people in the WSD by the shortened version of his name, Mohamed) will be moving into his new role as the Director of Multilingual Learner Programs this July. He will be transitioning from his roles as the Winooski Middle High...
Friday, May 20, 2022
Friday, May 13, 2022
Friday, May 6, 2022
Friday, April 29, 2022
New Entrance and Classrooms for WSD Students
The Capital Project construction is going smoothly and incredible progress is being made daily. The high school wing has been renovated and we are so excited for students to finally see their beautiful new space! Over April break, students in grades 3, 4 5, and high...
Friday, April 15, 2022
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Important Changes to WSD’s COVID Response
The COVID-19 virus will be with us for a long time. As the level of severe disease is low in our community and across the state, the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) has stated that each person can decide if they want to take precautions based on their own personal...
Important Change to School Calendar – No School on Monday, May 2
Dear Winooski Community, We want to inform you that we are changing the day off scheduled for Tuesday, May 3 to Monday, May 2. Our district is committed to honoring the cultures, languages, and beliefs of all students. An important way to show this respect is by...
It’s Time to Register for Kindergarten
If you live in Winooski and have a child that will be 5 before September 1, 2022, they are eligible to come to Kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year! On May 25th, all incoming Kindergarten students are invited to come to JFK for our Kindergarten screening day....
Still Need More Information?
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